Oh boy! My 4th novel is coming out on October 1st. It’s a YA coming of age story that came to me in 2009, just after President Barack Obama came into power and had to set the U.S.A. on the right track from the recession we were in. It started when I went to feed the three horses we had on our property. After that, I was going to take a shower and go have coffee and a chat with a writer friend of mine, then drive an hour west of our house to another friend’s birthday party.
But! When I got to the barn and opened the back door to let the horses in for their breakfast, only Rippy and Strike came in. Vig continued to stand facing the wire fencing without even trying to move. Turns out he had gotten both front hooves caught on two strands of the wire, which was trying to cut off the front part of his hooves.
Try as I might, I couldn’t get his hooves unstuck. I called his owner to come help me get free. This meant clipping the two strands so that we could slide them out from between his hooves and shoes. Bless his heart, Vig stood stock still, putting as much weight on his hindquarters as he could. I had fed him his grain while I was waiting.
Well, horses done, I realized I wouldn’t have time for a shower, but could change out of my barn clothes and head off for my coffee time with my friend.
As I’m driving along feeling sorry for myself, I’m listening to the news, which is telling me that President Obama has inherited the economic mess called THE GREAT RECESSION. And I’m thinking you know what, Sarah, you haven’t a worry at all. And then I realize that this is the premise for a coming-of-age book about a teen-aged girl full of righteous indignation that her day isn’t going well.
Ayesha Gardiner’s day is not going as planned, and she is feeling put upon. But as the day goes on, she discovers she has little to whine about. Follow along as she learns what real troubles are like and how she can deal with the problems that come her way.
If you ever want to see a tiny human dynamo, meet Anechy Padron who immigrated from Cuba. (She and her illustrator are pictured above.) She immigrated with the help of her mother and brother, who were living in Tampa at the time.
While in Cuba, Anechy wrote a children’s book about a Chihuahua, Patti, who meets a feral cat, Barci, that lives in the “City of Cat.” But now that Anechy lives in the U.S.A., she thought it would be nice to write the story in English as well.
The story is charming and well-written. Children will relate to the animals and cheer them on. And the children will learn how to be better people and how to care about all creatures. And they will also learn a bit about life in Cuba.
Interview Questions
Please tell us how to pronounce your name. I believe you told me that Anechy is a nickname. What is your full name?
My full name is Adianez Padrón Ramirez, but my brother gave me the nickname of Anechy, and it stuck forever. A friend created a little game to pronounce my nickname, you say Aww(yawning), point at your knee, and finally you sneeze. Aw-knee-chis!
Did you grow up in Havana? Or in another part of the island?
I was born in Santiago de Cuba, on the east end of the island. Then, my parents moved to Holguin for a year and a half. But at age four and a half we moved to Havana, where I lived for 25 years, until I came to the States. My parents were in the military. They moved a lot.
Where did you go to college? In Cuba or America?
I studied accounting for five years at the University of Havana. That wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted journalism, language, anything that had to do with writing and arts. But my mom wasn’t supportive then about my being an artist. While in college, I went to every literary event or class I could find. Often times people would find it odd that I was there while studying accounting.
How did you get to the United States of America?
Long story. We would need a whole new interview. In sum, I followed my family. My brother rafted out of Cuba in 2000. In 2008, he became a U.S. Citizen and applied for family reunion. My mom was granted a visa in 2009, but I had stay in Cuba for one year before I got my visa in 2010. It was a long process to get out of Cuba. Having a U.S. Permanent Visa wasn’t enough for the regime. In 2010, there was a law in Cuba that I had to give all my properties back to the Cuban government, and I had to pay 550 dollars for a “white card,” which I called the freedom card.
Have you always been a storyteller?
I was always an avid reader. As a small child, I couldn’t go to bed without a story. But I wouldn’t fall asleep until the end. My dad always fell asleep before. Then, I’d walk out of the bedroom with the book and tell Mom: “Mami, papi se durmió” Mom, daddy fell asleep. At age 10, I was reading Edgar Allan Poe and Guy de Maupassant. I started writing poetry and short stories in 6th grade when I was a member of a book club with five other girls. I couldn’t stop writing after that.
What compelled you to write this book?
When I lived in Havana, I was babysitting a 3-year-old boy named Richy. (He just turned 18 years old.) I was also performing for children as a clown and a puppeteer. I was always writing rhymes and little stories for my live shows. One day, Richy and I were walking Isabella a.k.a. Patti in the story, and a little cat came to us. She was very friendly for a street cat. And even more surprising, my chihuahua liked her. I named the cat Barcina. Richy and I started dreaming and making up stories about this cat. I brought Barcina home but she did not like it. So, I started writing about her and imagining what my chihuahua and Barcina would be saying about me, and the neighbors. Then, I added my friends and their dog to the story. Richy and I loved this fantasy. Richy got me into this book, and I love it.
What are the names of the dog & cat?
The heroes of my book are Patti and Barci, a spoiled Chihuahua and a street cat.
How did you come up with the names?
My chihuahua had many nicknames or terms of endearment, one of them was “puti” actually not a very nice word in Spanish, but it is endearing to a dog in Cuba. For the book I changed it to Pati. When I started editing the book, I added another T to honor my friend Patti, who helped me get my new dog Maya. Barci is short for Barcina, which means mutt for cats (Moggy).
In the story, the cat lives in a place called the City of Cats. Is there such a place in Cuba? In Havana? Do other Cuban cities and towns have such gathering places for the feral cats? Are they monitored by humans?
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I lived in a 12-story Russian building in the newest part of Havana. We had a huge basement where the feral cats slept at night. I called the basement The City of Cats, it was a damp, dirty, and flea-infested place. I felt bad for those cats. There are places like that all over Havana. Very sad. On the other hand, they kept the mice population under control. In the process of re-writing the story I changed the setting from an ugly looking neighborhood to beautiful Old Havana, a city which beauty always makes me cry. I put the City under the Cathedral, and the rest is history.
There was a group of ladies in my neighborhood who collected school cafeteria leftovers to feed the cats. They captured injured cats, vetted them, and then found homes for them. But this was just done by good-hearted ladies, there is no organization in Cuba that helps. There is a non-profit from Canada called The Spanky Project. https://spankyproject.org/. They help street animals in Cuba by spaying/neutering/deworming them, and then either release or get them adopted. I learned a little bit more about them on my last trip to Cuba this past January.
I love that you are giving children the chance to learn a new language. It will bring the peoples of our world closer together, don’t you think?
I agree with you. I started learning English at age 11 and French in my early twenties. That opened the world to me. It has made it possible for me to travel, meet people, learn from others, read books that are not available in Spanish, and, mainly, understand that far from different, we humans have more in common than we think.
I know you write short stories as well as books. What is your next short story? Or have you adapted part of this novel into a short story for the upcoming Next Chapter Literary Magazine which has the theme of friends?
Sarah, you gave me a great idea. I was trying to come up with something to write for the magazine. The latest thing I’ve written is the sixteen-character descriptions for books one and two. Yes, I forgot to mention I already have a second part for “The Adventures of Patti and Barci: The City of Cats.” The next book is “The Havana Forest.” I plan to write several books for this series, I just love these characters and I have so much fun with them.
Thanks for visiting my blog, Anechy. I look forward to reading the next saga of Patti and Barci.
Feel free to contact Anechy at anechy7@gmail.com for more information about her book and when it will be ready for you to read.
All writers, but especially those of us who publish our own books, are always looking for inexpensive but effective ways to promote them. So I thought I’d give Mike Briggs of Central Valley Talk a try. I was quite pleased with the outcome, which you can view through this link:
Once you apply to be on his show, you will be given the details on what information to send and how to send it. The interview connection is through Zoom, but I don’t know if there is another option if you don’t have Zoom. You may send images of your book covers and a few other relevant images, but there is a limit of ten photos.
Doing the interview is free, but if you want to send it out to your readers and others, you’ll have to spend some money. I chose the $45 version, but I expect you get much more for the $100 version.
I would be happy to do more interviews when my next book, Bad Hair Day, is ready later this year. Thanks for reading my blog. I hope life is treating you well. Happy writing to you. Sarah.
This may not be the most wonderful time of the year, but it comes fairly close. At least I think so, especially now that we don’t have to worry about snow. Maryland could get snowy. But coastal North Carolina doesn’t.
For the umpteenth time, we watch classic holiday movies, visit with friends, eat good food, and don’t feel guilty about having a second piece of pie. And try as we might not to eat yet another cookie, we justify it by saying we don’t want to disappoint the friend who made them.
I’m not a churchgoer, but I do love the carols and the lights, even if I’m not overly fond of the blow-up ornaments on the people’s front yards. Still, there generally is an aura of excitement in the air. Plus, the messages of love and happiness do warm my heart.
This year we went to our neighborhood chorus’ Holiday Concert event. Nice group of voices, including two women in the tenor section because they can no longer sing the alto range and the men in the tenor section were lacking a couple of voices. Plus, during the intermission, we chatted with neighbors we hadn’t seen for a while.
We’ve already watched one version of the Christmas Carol, titled “Scrooge,” starring George C. Scott, and are looking forward to watching our favorite version, “Scrooge”—starring Albert Finney—which is heartwarming. We also have watched the 1947 version of “Miracle on 34th Street,” and are looking forward to watching “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and finally “The Christmas Story. Some years we watch “National Lampoon’s Christmas Story” because it is so good with its slapstick humor. I especially like Uncle Lewis’ scene of blowing up the drainage gutter and the scene of how the lights blind the neighbors with their brilliance. What are your favorite Christmas movies?
Though our children are all in their late fifties or early sixties now, I still enjoy getting together for a standing rib roast on Christmas Day. We also have a Zoom meeting with my husband’s family on Christmas Day. Some of us live on the East Coast, some in the Midwest, and the rest on the West Coast.
But my side of the family is too far-flung for any kind of communal meeting. Some live in Italy, some in France, some in England, some in New York, some in California, and some in Oregon. Timing a group that size is not really feasible. Maybe we’ll have a meeting with them later in the year.
I think I’ll add a Christmas/Holiday scene to the murder mystery I’m working on.
My latest short story is in the January Next Chapter Literary Magazine, which has the theme of flowers. Copies are available at the Next Chapter Books and Art store, 320 S. Front Street, in the still charming downtown of New Bern, NC. The magazine is now available at the store in either the $10 black and white edition or in glorious color for $15. Whatever your plans may be, I hope you have a “splendiferous” holiday time and worry about your diet in the New Year, if ever.
Sarah Maury Swan, Author of several books, including Emily’s Ride to Courage, 2018
Lori Hayes knows a thing or two about horses, but she wrote this book about a horse experience she’s never had. She tells the story of a woman, Haley, who wanted to train a wild mustang newly captured from the western mountains.
Haley asked for a docile mare but ended up with the fiercest horse at the auction. Even getting the mare home was a challenge because of a surprise snowstorm and then the loss of a wheel on the trailer. But with a stranger’s help and Haley’s husband’s calmness, they make it home safely.
Feeling the angst of the horse and trainer as they begin to bond, the reader’s heart will swell with pride as the two beings journey to an unbreakable partnership. Along the way, Haley begins to understand herself better. And, in the end, has blossomed into a stronger human being. She also learns that she married the right man and, together they go along life’s journey of being parents and partners.
Of course, Haley ends up keeping the horse and going on to bigger and better accomplishments.
Any horse lover, whether as an owner or a fan, will relate to the trials and tribulations Haley and Nevada go through and cheer the pair on. Enjoy the read. And even if you are not quite out of your teens, read the book anyway.
The story especially resonated with me because I raised a three-month-old Pinto colt to become a dressage show horse and a therapeutic horse.
Published in the United States by Seaquine Publishing, ISBN: 979-8-9871000-0-4
Sorry to be so long-winded, but you ask really interesting questions. I have yet to learn the art of brevity; therefore, this has had no final edit.
I met the friendly Mary Scott when I was selling my books at the Next Chapter Books & Art during MumFest. And as her smile would suggest, she is outgoing and inviting. She asked me if she could also participate in our October 29thAuthors’ Sunday Event at the New Bern Farmers’ Market. Of course, I said yes.
Welcome to my blog. I know you now live in the beautiful town with the delightful name of Oriental. And please remind us how the town got its name.
From Wiki:The town of Oriental was named after the Sailing Steamer Oriental. Built in Philadelphia in 1861, the ship was used as a federal transport ship in the Civil War. She met her fate a year after being launched, running aground in May 1862, when she was wrecked off Bodie Island, 33 miles north of Cape Hatteras. Her passengers and crew were saved.
The United States Post Office Department established a post office in 1886 in what had been called Smith’s Creek. Lou Midyette was named postmaster. Postmaster Midyette’s wife, Rebecca, thought the village needed a better name. One story says that she had found the nameplate from the wrecked sailing steamer “Oriental” on the beaches of the Outer Banks and thought that name was more suitable. Another version of the story says she just saw the nameplate in a Manteo home. Either way the name “Oriental” made an impression on her. The village became known as Oriental a few years after the post office was established and was incorporated in 1899.
Have you lived there all your life? Something to do with a storm and a boat? If you have not always lived there, where else have you lived?
MI born, raised, married; lured to TN in 1986 with an incredible job offer with Eastman Chemical, at the time a division of Kodak. Jim became the trailing spouse for a change.
Only boats we ever owned were ever increasingly larger cabin cruisers on the Great Lakes, Lake Erie mainly. Then came the oil crisis in the ‘70’s and we could no longer afford, though GREAT fun for a few years.
Moved to Oriental in 2016 after discovering it on a sojourn down the NC coast. I called it ‘Mayberry on steroids’ after stumbling on it and within days met multiple people and staying for the Croaker Fest Parade. Spent two weeks, bought a house, sold mine in TN in 4 days and within 4 months was living in Oriental. “It Just Felt Right.”
What have you done before you took to writing memoirs? Let’s start with your childhood and what your dreams were then?
As a kid hated playing w/dolls except to use my tiny sewing machine to make them poorly constructed clothes. Got a little blackboard for Christmas and began teaching classes. Loved it, other kids not so much. Only girl on our block in Detroit so I hung out with the boys. Lacked the coordination to do well climbing trees and jumping to garage rooftops, so was more a tomboy & mascot. Entered college planning to become a biology teacher, wanted to be like mine had been, idolized him. Student teaching blew out that candle, so went into biomedical research.
Zero interest in reading except science to learn. I have always been an avid learner, just for the sake of learning. Few things have challenged me long term except medical research, science in general, and mechanical/architectural and human behavior.
I notice you have a cute dog to keep you company. Have you always had animals in your life? Any animals other than dogs?
We had a family dog, but no major attachment for me, more my brother. Jim, husband, had a horrible upbringing and his dog was given away when is younger half-brother was born, Dog died two weeks later. Jim never got over never having even had the chance to say good bye. So we have had a series of Chihuahuas, six including my current P-Nutt adopted after Jim passed. Joy, #5 was the first to bond on me. She was a major member of my memoir’s entourage.
What do animals give to you to make your life better? For instance, my animals have always been my confidants and comforters.
Jim and I chose to be child-free… except for the dogs, and Jim insisted when asked, “If I ever get Mary raised, no more children!” I never truly understood Jim’s passion for our dogs until he passed and Joy was my little rock. She sensed what I needed, and was more a dearest friend than a dog. I will always griever her loss, almost as much as I grieve for Jim.
I expect you like to hike or ride a bike/tricycle or swim. Anything to keep your body trim and your mind fit, I’m sure.
For many years a swimmer, though never very good at it. Biked a lot as well. Once in TN, too hilly, so became an avid walker/hiker, 3-4 miles every day. Went to treadmill as Jim’s health declined. Quit exercise after he passed. Then joint issues, new right knee, then right shoulder, and before long, left knee. Lots of PT and learning how to correct posture lost to accommodating painful joints. Beginning to get back to bike and walking.
Do you have a big family with lots of siblings and children?
Late older brother, 2yrs, younger sister, 6yrs, still kicking, smart, talented and my constant writing advisor, critic and all-round thorn in my side.
My husband and I have not been blessed with grandchildren, so I always have to ask about other people’s grandchildren. I do hope you have many and that they bring great joy.
No, but Jim and I loved other people’s kids and grandkids. I still do. I’m like an indulgent grandparent; love ‘em, have fun with ‘em. That’s it! Current love is the daughter of the young couple that bought my house in TN. She is a DOLL!
I also believe you said you work to keep Oriental the charming place it is. If that is true, what do you do?
I volunteer ticket-window, The Ole Theater; docent, Oriental Museum; Help-Line for Neuse Neighbor Network. And always ready to lend a hand on various projects. Wonderful feeling to give back to community.
You mentioned something about your book when we met, but please let us know more. I remember your saying you and your dog have been driving around the country in your RV. What great fun, especially since you share the adventures with your husband, at least with your mind. And I’m sure his spirit follows you wherever. But what makes particular memories feel important enough to share with him and now us?
Joy was the world’s finest co-pilot, right up until she passed. I got little P-Nutt so Joy would have a buddy as I got more involved in writing. She hated the little squirt, but finally realized the kid was here to stay and turned into the world’s finest big sister. Even prompted me to call my sister and apologize for being so mean when she was young.
She LOVED travel, and meeting people. She was the world’s BEST companion dog. P-Nutt, not so much. She is more Chihuahua-like, nervous, skittish, shy, and TOTALLY about herself. Good traveler if a dog that sleeps while you’re driving makes her good. But she is very sweet and cuddles in bed.
I firmly believe Jim is with me still, looking out for me. His family was very psychic—though I’m not sure if that is the correct term. So I do ‘talk’ with him at times. No need. He is with me. That’s why my RV is named, “The Spirit.”
I always keep a travel log when on the road. They do accumulate.
And now that you’ve written one book, what happens next? I believe you said you were continuing your travels, so where are you going next and are you planning to write about those adventures? Or are you going to start making up stories about the people you’ve met along the way?
Everyone wants to know when I will continue my story, or better yet, have Joy write a book as she evidently now has a following of her own among my readers.
I find I love to write, but in what direction to take it is uncertain right now. Still recovering from my single venture into authordom. Not sure of next steps, if or when. I never aspired to be an author. Felt compelled to tell of my grief gauntlet in hopes others could relate, understand grief is a uniquely individual and solo journey. It is NOT 5-steps and you get a graduation certificate.
Travel has been curtailed the last few years with pushing to finish and publish my book, and too many surgical procedures, though Covid lockdown was a mixed blessing. Travel for a while will be almost totally driveway camping, visiting friends getting older and less travelable than me. Have lost a couple very dear friends during my travel hiatus, so will be doing more than a quick pass-through as I visit these days. Life is fleeting.
Sarah’s final note. Have you ever had a day where if something could be obstreperous, it would be? Well, that’s what this day has been like. So, please forgive my typos and lack of bold print for Mary’s answers and blame it on the computer gremlins. Thanks, I’m going to take a nap or ride my tricycle.
You grew up in the Midwest, I believe. Especially in St. Louis? And you had at least one sister and one brother. Yes, actually I’m the second of four. Two girls and then two boys. Were you an outdoorsy type. I’m thinking you were, considering the books you have written. I was more sporty than outdoorsy. I loved team sports. My family didn’t camp at all though I had a grandmother who taught me about birds. I still love to go birding. Did you ride horses when you were growing up? How about dogs and cats? Were they a part of your life?
Weirdly, I was not a horsey kid. My mom was, and one of my daughters was, but it skipped me! We had a golden retriever growing up, but I’ve had cats for the last 35 years, since I married my husband.
How did you end up in the New Bern area? We moved to this area because my in-laws live here. They are both in their 90s, living just down the road, and still are very independent. I love getting to see them!!
I actually grew up in Bethesda, MD. Met my future hubby in New Haven, CT, he proposed but was moving to St. Louis for work … so since I said yes, I went to St. Louis! We ended up in the Midwest for 30 years…Loved living in the Midwest.
What prompted you to write Rachel Alexandra? She sounds like a remarkable mare. I wanted to tell a story that kids would enjoy and Rachel Alexandra was in the news in 2009, when I was looking for a topic. I didn’t know much about the racing world, but I liked her distinctive blaze and the fact that she was racing and beating the boys. Girl-power story on four legs is how I describe her story. Tell us a little about her and what kind of research you had to do to learn her story. I had a career’s worth of interviewing people, but it was a little hard to break into the racing world. I started with the Kentucky Visitors’ Bureau which put me in touch with a woman who said I should really talk to Hal Wiggins, Rachel Alexandra’s original trainer. He opened all the rest of the doors for me, but basically my research was interviewing everyone connected to Rachel that I could and reading all the news accounts of her exploits. She has a kind face and intelligent eyes. She is a really smart horse. Her jockey, Calvin Borel, always talked about how he was just a passenger. She didn’t have to always run in front. …but she seemed like a strategic runner…Bay horses are especially beautiful. What is her lineage? Medaglio D’oro was her sire, and Lotta Kim was her dam. And was or is she a good broodmare? Rachel had two offspring, but then she almost died from an infection after giving birth.
The cover of this book is delightful and grabs the reader immediately. What is the premise of this story? Well, this photo appeared in the obituary of Anna Merz in 2013. As you say, it grabbed my attention! As I read all the obituaries of this remarkable woman I realized this was a story I wanted to tell young readers, especially because of her special relationship with Samia, the rhino pictured on the cover. How did you come to write it? As with the Rachel Alexandra book, I started by doing on-line research and in-person interviews. First, I traveled to Cornwall, England, to interview Anna Merz’s goddaughter, who was very close to her. Naomi Campbell (not the supermodel) put me in touch with many people who knew Anna well. Did you get to meet a rhino or two while you doing your research? Presumably, with a sturdy fence between the two of you? And where were you doing your research? Who is the woman doing rhino raising? Through some of my interviewing, I not only got to meet rhinos, I also got the opportunity to go to Kenya and to the sanctuary Anna Merz founded (that’s really what the book is about) and meet with many people who knew her well and worked side by side with her for many years. It was a thrill.
The only thing I’d like to add is that, sometimes, I think that non-fiction gets a bad rap as being boring or something, but in my own experience, I have found so many amazing, true stories, especially about ordinary people doing extraordinary things and I love sharing those stories, whether in the classroom or at a cocktail party!!
If you have lived in the Washington, NC, to New Bern, NC area for any length of time, there is a good chance you’ve crossed paths with Sherri Hollister. She has a lovely smile and an intriguing chuckle.
You may have had a child or grandchild who went to school with one of Sherri’s sons or their progeny. If you’ve bought a bottle of liquor at the store she manages, you’ve probably at least seen her or maybe even bought at bottle or two from her.
But, if you are a reader and/or author of books, I’d be surprised if you haven’t run across her. Especially if you read spicy mysteries that may make you blush or start to pant.
Her most recently released book is the 5th in the Harrell Family Chronicles. This one focuses on staggeringly hot Remy who runs the family’s potash factory in Beaufort County, NC. And things are not going as planned.
Plus, his girlfriend is in a pickle that gets more dangerous by the second.
When Sherri is not doing one of the above-mentioned activities, she helps run the Pamlico Writers Group. A good place to get to know more about writing and the writers of the area. The link to Pamlico Writers Group is https://thepamlicowriters.wordpress.com/ or you can contact us through our email pwgcritique.group@gmail.com . They are having a meeting at the China Bay Buffet, 2871 US-17, Chocowinity, NC, on October, 31, 2023. There will be a guest speaker, ME! We’ll have time to talk about writing and this that, in addition to filling your bellies and souls with Chinese food.
Welcome, Sherri. I’m looking forward to seeing you at our event. Please give us links to your books and your website. My website is https://sherrilhollister.com . I’m on Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, X (it used to be Twitter), and TikTok. My books are available at most eBook retailers, with print books available at Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, and Books2Read, I also have audio (AI narrated) available at Google Play and a few at Apple.
Let’s start with what your family is up to. I can’t remember if you have 5 or 8 sons. And how many grandbabies? And probably a few great-grandbabies, right?
Ha, ha, I have six sons and we’re up to 23 grandchildren. No greats as yet since my two oldest grandsons just graduated from high school. Ryan is at Pembrook and Jack is working.
You grew up in the Washington area. And, if I remember correctly, have never lived anywhere else. Did you ever dream of living elsewhere? What do you love the best about your neck of the woods?
Actually, I grew up in a small community known as South Creek. It’s about 7 miles outside of Aurora, about an hour from Washington. I was born in Louisiana. We lived in Hampton, Virginia before moving to North Carolina. My parents were both raised in North Carolina. My dad was born and raised in the house next door to where I grew up but both houses are gone now. I’ve lived in Louisiana twice, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Texas, New Mexico two different times, but home is North Carolina.
I loved living in different places and would love to travel but I was so glad when we decided to move to North Carolina when I was 9. North Carolina, especially Aurora and South Creek were where I belonged. It was where my roots were. I love the water and the pines. It’s one of the reasons I write about it.
When did you decide that you would be an author? And how did you get your start? Who helped you improve your writing? And what pushed you in the direction of writing mysteries? I believe at one point you were writing more romance novels.
I started writing when I was about ten years old. Author was just one of the many things I wanted to be when I grew up. I wanted to be an archeologist. I was in eighth grade when my teacher started calling me Agatha Christy. I’d planned to be a romance writer, not a mystery writer, but I guess he knew what he was talking about.
Who helped me improve my writing? The list is long and still growing but let me start with my mentor and good friend, Marni Graff, also known as the mystery author M K Graff. She is the one who pushed me to publish. Jim Keen, Louis Edwards, the late Doris Schneider and Kaylene Wilson, Angela Silverthorne, and the members of the Pamlico Writers Group who encouraged me to self-publish. PWG, the North Carolina Writer’s Read and the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers were encouraging and helpful in teaching me the craft and business of writing. Donna Steele, Reese Ryan, Kate Parker and Merry Simmons from my Heart of Carolina group as well as critique partners, Beta readers and good friends who have helped and encouraged and taught me to be a better writer. I know I’m missing several. As I said, the list is long. My best friend Robina pushed me to share my writing instead of hiding it under the bed. My husband who gives me courage and strength and acts as my research partner and cheerleader.
I started out writing historical romances, but then we had several family catastrophes. I was afraid I couldn’t write. I was in a dark place when I started writing again and I needed to purge my soul. Chrome Pink and the Leeward Files series were my way of digging out from under all the rubble. When I started the spin-off series, The Harrell Family Chronicles, it still had suspense but wasn’t as dark. Returning to my love of historicals feels as if I’ve come full circle; the fact that it’s a mystery is probably Marni’s influence. I still want romance in my stories but I like having suspense, mystery, or other action in the stories as well.
In Remy’s Dilemma, you put at least part of the story’s action in a fish camp setting that belongs to Remy’s family. Is it based on such a camp that is your family?
The Harrell Family Campgrounds is part dream and part reality. When my husband and I were a young married couple, our dream was to have our own family campgrounds. Since that never happened, I created one for my characters. The location of the campground is the true location of my hometown (South Creek) but I’ve fictionalized it. The actual land I use in the story was part of my family’s old sawmill. I added the rest to fit my fiction.
How did you come up with the storyline for this book? And how did you make it different from the first four books in the series? How did you weave the connections to make the books come together as continuations?
In The Leeward Files, the original owners of the phosphate plant are killed. It is discovered in The Harrell Family Chronicles that there are other heirs, and their mother is one of them. Each of the stories focuses on one of the relatives. Willow’s Retreat is about Remy’s aunt and uncle and their thirty-year marriage that is on the rocks, and someone threatening their family to gain control of the phosphate plant that was involved in illegal activities under the former owners. Janie’s Secrets is a second-chance romance. Remy broke his teenaged sister Janie and his friend, Mike, apart when he learned Janie was pregnant. His interference kept them apart for ten years and put their daughter in jeopardy. The family has to rescue Janie’s daughter and help reunite the lovers. Roxy’s Betrayal is a dual timeline to Janie’s story, the good sister Janie versus the bad sister Roxy. Roxy falls for former Leeward deputy accused of murder. This forbidden love story combines this unlikely hero with a man in need of a second chance. Trent’s Melody combines my love for reality game shows like The Voice and America’s Got Talent with my obsession with HGTV makeover shows. Trent and Melody get a second chance at their happy ever after when they are pitted against each other in a men’s versus women’s makeover show. Remy’s story takes on cyber attacks and Sothy’s past. As the oldest of seven, Remy believes he has to take care of everyone, but sometimes he needs to let someone take care of him.
I believe that Remy is the last of the Harrell Family stories. Is that correct? So, what’s next?
Remy’s Dilemma finishes the storyline that started with Chrome Pink. I will probably revisit Leeward and the Harrell Family, but they will either be standalones or a new series.
Presently I am working on the sequel to my historical mystery The Americans Are Coming, An Applegate Mystery series, Whose Killing the Dukes of Applegate, and I have an obligation to write three short stories for anthologies for an international romance group I belong to. I also have plans for a women’s softball romantic comedy series, The Dirty Princesses.
Love The Dirty Princesses title. As usual, it’s nice to spend time with you, Sherri. And thanks for being my interviewee.
Thank you for allowing me to talk about myself and my books. I’m used to being on the other side of the microphone. I’m looking forward to Sunday, October 29th at the New Bern Farmers Market and to your talk at the Pamlico Writers Halloween Luncheon.
Meet Joan Aubele here and in person on 10-29-23 at our third Authors’ Sunday event.
For those of you who don’t know about our authors’ event, Julie McKeon, who runs the New Bern Farmers’ Market, 421 S. Front Street, asked me to organize it in January 2022 because it seemed a shame to only have the building open on Saturdays and occasionally other days of the week. We held the first event last November of 2022, the second in April of 2023, and now we will be open from 1 to 4 on October 29th, 2023.
We will have coupons from Blackbeard’s Triple Play Restaurant, 415 S. Front Street for a discount on a meal. Collect the coupon when you buy any book at our event.
We will also have Sipping Sunshine (lemonade and tea) truck and The Burger Bus from Swansboro parked in our lot.
We will also have coupons from Next Chapter Books & Art, 321 S. Front Street, New Bern, NC if you stop at 10 authors’ tables and have the author initial the coupon. No need to buy a book, but do at least look at them.
Inside the building, we will have places for you to sit, munch, sip, and read. Plus, several authors will read from their books.
Please plan on bringing the whole family to meet many of our 38 authors. We will have several children’s book authors, ranging from those who write for the very young to those who write for young adults.
If you like to read mysteries, we’ll have plenty of those–some of which are a bit on the spicy side. Look for authors who write whatever comes into their heads from Fantasy to Pirates, or authors who wish to help you better yourselves. If you want to learn some history, we’ll have that covered, as well as those who want to further their understanding of the Christian Bible. And of course, we’ll have horse stories because how can you not?
Hi Joan, thanks for all your help putting this event together.
Were you born in the New Bern area?
No, actually, I was born and raised in Chicago. After sixty-one years of residing in the Midwest, my husband and I decided to pull our long-standing roots and move to the quant sailing community of Oriental, North Carolina.
I am married to my high school sweetheart and even though it’s been forty-five years since we said, “I do,” we’ve never gotten out of the honeymoon stage. We’ve raised three daughters, and to date, have six grandchildren.
Do your stories come from your life? Or do they come from the people you’ve seen along the way? Or do they come from events that you’ve witnessed or been a part of? My first memoir, “The Dance,” is primarily my story of the miracles I am blessed with.
Whereas “Hearts Ablaze” is a combination of my own, in addition to others’ blessings that I’ve witnessed or had the pleasure of being a part of.
From what I’ve read or learned about writers tend to either plot their stories in outline form (an outliner) and others have ideas that seem to smack them upside their heads and lead them down paths (a pantser.) I expect most of us are a bit of both, but I’ve heard a number of writers say that their characters frequently take over the plotline. How would you characterize yourself? I begin with an outline, but as either late-night thoughts or upon waking, random thoughts smack me upside the head. I quickly jot them down on Post-it notes so as not to forget them! I truly believe the Holy Spirit is whispering, “Hey, don’t forget this part!”
Tell us a bit about your published books. I understand your second one is now live and spreading its warmth. What compelled you to write spiritual books? Who is in your target audience?
Glad you asked-–here’s“The Dance” synopsis: Four months after giving birth to her third child, a twenty-nine-year-old woman is given a death sentence by her doctor. Diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, she’s told to make funeral arrangements and say goodbye to her family.
She has always relied on her religious beliefs but becomes the unsuspecting recipient of what can only be described as miracles.
Twenty-five years in the making, Joan, or Joanie, as she is known to friends and family, humbly shares her triumphant story as an inspiration to all. This lovely, Deluxe 2nd Edition of her best-selling memoir, “The Dance – A Story of Love, Faith, and Survival,” includes a new Forward, a heartfelt message from Joan’s oncologist, and a special preview of her next book, “Hearts Ablaze.”
“Hearts Ablaze” synopsis: To Joan’s pleasant surprise, her memoir, “The Dance” reaches Amazon’s Number One Hot New Release spot within four days of publication. Joan’s true and moving testimony of miracles and the power of prayer have created ripples as far as France, Egypt, South Africa, and Bangladesh.
Julie, her local librarian, amongst many others, urges Joan to write a follow-up book. “You need to share the effects of that best-selling book, and all it’s created.” And so, ladies and gentlemen, “ Hearts Ablaze – The Ripples We Create” is born.
This compilation of short stories from pivotal life happenings that Joan has witnessed in her travels is sure to inspire. Hearts Ablaze truly demonstrates how God is forever placing people in our path to ultimately fulfill His master plan. As you immerse into each story, you’ll quickly realize that you are in fact already creating ripples.
Quite simply I write to inspire folks to live their best life and to create those ripples!
5. Do you publish your books yourself? Why? If you go through a Trade Publisher, whom do you use? And why? Do you use an outside editor before you submit your books for publishing? I, for instance, send my work to a woman who has taught me a great deal and improved my writing immeasurably. I have self-published both books as well. I believe the stories found within the pages are extraordinary enough, so I didn’t want to see the stories altered in any way. Naturally, I had both books edited, and since “|The Dance” was my first baby, I also had several beta readers from my local library writer’s group take a look at it.
6. What are you working on now? Sarah, I’m strictly in the process of marketing these books now, but the random thoughts are already popping into my mind for a third memoir!
7. What do you do when you’re not writing your stories? Do you have any hobbies?
If I’m not exploring our new surroundings, I’m either bicycle riding around town, chilling on our dock, or sailing with my husband, Crazy Carl.
In addition, I keep ”The Official Oriental and Surrounding Area Newbie’s Group that I formed last year, afloat.
8. Feel free to add any comments that I have not covered here. I look forward to seeing you on the 29th. Sarah
Several years ago, my oldest daughter treated me to a weekend inspirational, Christian women’s conference. I was truly inspired and dream of someday being one of those speakers, to help make a difference in people’s lives. Although spending time with my family remains my number one priority, I am now fulfilling my dream of becoming one of those speakers.
I’m proud to be a Diocese Approved Speaker and bring my amazing story to life in many Churches, Hospitals, Libraries, cancer support groups, MOPS organizations, Relay for Life events, etc.
I’m truly addicted to participating in book-signing events and conducting presentations. I LOVE that personal connection – we begin as strangers, and part as friends!
Sarah, thank you so much for this awesome opportunity – see ya on 29th!
After every major war or incident, our country does something to honor those who died. Well, we do for a time, but then memories fade, and the survivors die. Then a new war is waged somewhere on our planet.
I personally shudder when somebody plays Taps. It hits way too close to my heart. My father and maternal grandfather both died in the Philippines during WWII. And a great uncle died in Italy during that war. And one uncle died just before that war when the bomber he was flying blew up. Plus, I had ancestors die during the Revolution and most of the wars to follow. And before that, I had ancestors die because their home countries didn’t approve of their religious beliefs.
Now, there are some notable exceptions to the rule. For instance, we do still celebrate our Revolutionary War with the Fourth of July, or Independence Day. But we don’t recite Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address as often anymore, though it is such a powerful and heart-wrenching piece of prose. And should be remembered.
And I’m not alone. Countless families have lost souls to war. After a while, we’ve sealed off those parts of our psyches and gone on with our lives.
A generation of children has learned to go on with their lives after 911, the latest horror to sear our hearts. Except for all the service personnel and their grieving families who still remember the destruction of the day and then the hollows in their hearts of those who died.
Now, of course, we mourn those who are dying or mourning the dead in Ukraine, or countless countries in Africa. Many places in this world or ours suffer needless deaths. Is it the same throughout the universe? Or have more distant solar systems learned how to live in peace? Can’t we try?
Can’t we give a little of ourselves or our land or our beliefs to live in harmony? Can’t we at least try? Can’t we forget how to play Taps?
Can’t we look forward to celebrating the good things that have happened or could happen in our world and in our universe?
You can point to Christmas and Easter, but that’s only for a group of people and not everyone. Or you can point to any other religious holiday, which is supposed to be a time of forgiveness, healing, and joy. But is actually brought about by the death of someone else?
So, here’s to all who have sacrificed for the rest of us, and here’s to trying to live in harmony with each other. Let’s vow to cherish each other no matter our skin color, or our religion, or nationality. And let’s do try to remember that we are all part of the universe.
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